- By FOXCRAFT
- In Newsletters
Make Your Home Toasty with In-Floor Heating
Winter is on the way and, every year at this time, Foxcraft clients ask us about installing heated floors in their homes. It’s a great
feature to have in a bathroom or any other room. As toasty thermal radiation rises from the floor, it warms up any objects it strikes which, in turn, radiates captured heat. Also, radiant heat can be used on patios, driveways, sidewalks and other outdoor spaces.
Although the technology is modern, interestingly the concept itself is not. In fact, it was invented by the ancient Romans, who installed wood-burning fires under elevated marble floors!
We think heated floors are a great addition to any home and we’ve installed many. Based on our years of experience, here are a few things to consider:
- It’s green. A radiant floor system is more than just attractive. It’s also a highly efficient way to heat your house. According to the folks at This Old House, for example, a radiant system can be up to 30 percent more efficient than forced-air heating, depending on how well your house is insulated. It’s especially beneficial if there is a window in the room because most windows do not really insulate well.
- Most materials can be used with heated floors but some work more effectively than others. Generally, materials with thermal conducting properties — stone, concrete and ceramic tile — conduct, transfer, and hold heat effectively and withstand high temperatures. Solid wood floors can shrink and expand with fluctuating temperatures. If you’re in love with wood floors, though, we can advise you what will work best. Vinyl and plastic laminate floors come with temperature limitations and carpets have insulating properties that potentially reduce heat flow.
- In-floor heating systems generate heat evenly and will not disturb dust – reducing the chance of possible allergic reactions. They also reduce noise levels and the amount of dry air in your home.
- Electronic thermostats are completely programmable for your lifestyle. You can have your bathroom all warmed up and ready for your morning shower.
- In-floor heating mitigates moisture problems in damp spaces and keeps mildew down. That’s why you often see heated floors now in hotel bathrooms. It helps dry out a room quickly and makes it easier to clean a bathroom, for example.
Call us about installing a radiant-heat floor in your bathroom or anywhere inside or outside of your house. You’ll love it.